New Forensic Challenges
ENDOGENOUS ALCOHOL TEST CASE
The finding of the Court in a case of possible endogenous alcohol production was that the defendant was innocent of charges of aggravated drunken driving, and for which he was duly awarded full compensation.
This finding is being challenged!
Watch this space for the results of this novel test case!
New Alcohol Challenges
a: Dram shop law (ability to recognise the level of intoxication in another person) (Applied in Mc Cluckie v Worrall (High Quantum Injury Damages) (2010) (Settled) and R v Daniel Jones (Rape) (2012) (Acquitted).
b: Endogenous Alcohol (PP v Sjogren: Acquitted, at Test Case Stage).
c: Novel challenge due to a type of mixer
Research
In collaboration with a University we are embarking on the following program of forensic research:
Extending the range and effectiveness of the GC and TLC analysis of explosives.
Improving the sensitivity and selectivity of the TEA detector.
Developing a reliable method for the detection and identification of traces of propellant grade nitrocellulose in gunshot residue samples, involving reliable discrimination from commercial grades.
Improved clean-up methods for the trace analysis of explosives in highly contaminated forensic samples.
Developing a sensitive and selective technique for the detection of peroxide based explosives in highly contaminated forensic samples.
Developing a simplified routine technique for the trace analysis of prostaglandins in the forensic trace analysis of semen traces in sexual offences cases.
Developing a more reliable selective method for the separation of cellular DNA from sperm head DNA.
Development of a reliable method for authenticating works of art using DNA profiling techniques.
SEPARATION OF SKIN PARTICLES FROM WHITE BLOOD CELLS
A method is being researched into the possibility of the separation of skin particles from red blood cells
in complex stains.
THE NITROCELLULOSE PROBLEM:
Current active research projects in this area (funded by ourselves) are as follows:
1: DEVELOPMENT OF A POSSIBLE DEFINITIVE METHOD FOR THE CHARACTERISATION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF FORENSIC SAMPLES OF ENERGETIC AND COMMERCIAL GRADES OF NITROCELLULOSE
This project is being carried out using a contract with Oxford University, and aims to try to develop a conclusive method whereby energetic and commercial grades of nitrocellulose can be reliably identified and differentiated.
2: ATTEMPTED DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMPROVED TRACE ANALYTICAL METHOD OF IMPROVED SENSITIVITY: CAPABLE OF RELIABLY DETECTING AND IDENTIFYING RESIDUES OF ENERGETIC GRADES OF NITROCELLULOSE DEPOSITED AS A RESULT OF FIREARMS DISCHARGE, AND ALSO CAPABLE OF CONCLUSIVELY DIFFERENTIATING SUCH RESIDUES FROM UBIQUITOUS LEVELS OF COMMERCIAL GRADES OF NITROCELLULOSE PRESENT IN THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT
This project is being carried in house with a developed strategy in the process of attempting to be implemented.
ENDOGENOUS ALCOHOL:
Evidence for this phenomenon is tantalising.
This project aims to seek out appropriately physiologically challenged, or otherwise unique individuals, who exhibit likely expected symptoms, and to attempt to investigate, and define the circumstances where production of alcohol endogenously at levels that may exceed the capacity of the liver to immediately remove them by metabolism may exist.
EXPERT WITNESS INSTITUTE REGISTERED NUMBER: 1168
THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FORENSIC TOXICOLOGISTS REGISTERED NUMBER: 8984
OGT Forensic Ltd 4266659.